Herein Wild

Frankie Rose

Amoeba Review

09/24/2013

Frankie Rose built herself up from being the drummer for such acts as Crystal Stilts and Vivian Girls to a successful solo debut, the space-poppin' Interstellar. But could she do it twice? Herein Wild, Rose's second album, proves Interstellar was no fluke; in fact, it's a more consistent, more confident record. Musically, Herein Wild is looser and richer than its predecessor, though it brings back familiar elements—Rose's voice still hangs high in the air, swooping down like a crow over reverbed-out rock 'n' roll that's fleshed out with new-wave beats and sci-fi synths. Opener "You For Me" puts a strong foot forward with big electric chords and Rose's bending vocals, which come on like an ascetic Kate Bush. On the scenic "Into the Blue," she weaves nostalgic images of childhood through gorgeous, watery guitars. Aquatic images figure greatly into Herein Wild; "The Depths" darkly portrays a drowning nightmare with a bassline and beats straight out of The Cure's gothiest period. Herein Wild doesn't wallow too deeply in gloom, though. Though "Sorrow" is a bit of a retread of her hit "Know Me," its pop songs are first-rate—side-B stretches together an embarrasment of great, upbeat tunes, from "Minor Times" through "Question/Reason," "Heaven" and, especially, "Street of Dreams," which sounds a bit like Kim Wilde guesting on The Cure's Seventeen Seconds. Herein Wild is an immensely enjoyable listen throughout, like a new-wave dream come to life.